Volunteer Counsellor

Location: London

Hours: 3 between the working hours below:

• Monday –10:00am to 5:00pm
• Tuesday – 10:00:am -8:00pm
• Wednesday – 10:00am to 7:00pm
• Thursday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
• Friday – 10:0am to 1:00pm

About Waythrough

Waythrough provides specialist support across mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. We delivery high-quality, evidence-based services designed around the real needs of the people we serve.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through over 250 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community 

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. 

Make a real difference in your community 

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. 

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol , delivered by Waythrough, provides integrated support for adults experiencing difficulties with alcohol. As part of the wider treatment service, the Counselling Service offers structured, time-limited counselling and psychotherapy to individuals whose substance use is closely linked to their emotional wellbeing, relationships, trauma, or mental health.

The service works collaboratively with a range of partners including primary care, mental health services, social care, criminal justice agencies, housing providers and community organisations to support people in achieving sustainable recovery.

Our student counsellor placements provide an opportunity to develop clinical skills within a supportive multidisciplinary environment while gaining client hours required for professional training. Counselling is delivered predominantly face-to-face from Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohols and other community venues, with some remote work where clinically appropriate.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide weekly counselling sessions to allocated clients.
• Maintain a minimum caseload of three active clients.
• Complete timely and accurate clinical records on the electronic case management system in accordance with Waythrough's clinical governance, confidentiality and risk management procedures.
• Attend regular case management meetings with the Lead Counsellor.
• Attend fortnightly individual or group clinical supervision provided by the service.
• Participate in team meetings and multidisciplinary discussions where appropriate.
• Undertake mandatory and role-specific training.
• Liaise appropriately with other professionals involved in clients' care.
• Work within the BACP Ethical Framework (or relevant professional body) and Waythrough policies and procedures.
• Engage proactively in reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

Support You Will Receive

• Comprehensive induction programme.
• Fortnightly individual or group clinical supervision.
• Regular case management meetings with the Lead Counsellor.
• Ongoing clinical guidance and support within a multidisciplinary team.
• Access to Waythrough's online learning platform and mandatory training.
• Opportunities to observe and contribute to wider service development, reflective practice and multidisciplinary working

Applicants should:

• Have completed a recognised counselling or psychotherapy qualification (minimum Level 4 Diploma or equivalent) being professionally registered or accredited.
• Be a member of the BACP or another recognised professional body where appropriate.
• Have substantial experience of personal therapeutic work.
• Demonstrate the ability to work sensitively and respectfully with individuals experiencing substance use, trauma, mental health difficulties and complex life circumstances.
• Be able to reflect on clinical practice and make effective use of supervision.
• Have good written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism and commitment to maintaining a regular placement.
• Possess basic IT skills and be willing to use electronic clinical recording systems.
• Be committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and trauma-informed practice.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:

• Discounts from various schemes

• Training and personal development

• A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives

• Free induction and role-specific training

• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision

• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence

• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility 

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. 

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme  - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [email protected] 

How to apply 

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via company website’ to view the full job description and submit your application. 

Please note that while this role has a stated closing date, we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.

Closing date: